Decorated concrete block

ABSTRACT

A concrete block that can be placed in a wall constructed from a plurality of concrete blocks to accent the wall face. The block has a relief formed on a depressed field on the front of the block. The depressed field is preferably surrounded by a border that projects forwardly beyond the depressed field, and a portion or all of the relief projects forwardly beyond the border. One or more of the blocks of the invention can be placed as desired in the wall to break up the uniformity of the wall face and soften the plane of the wall, tie the wall in with the surrounding landscape, or to add interest to an otherwise uniform wall face.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates generally to concrete blocks. Morespecifically, the invention relates to concrete blocks suitable for usein landscaping applications, such as retaining walls, and otherarchitectural applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It has become common to use concrete blocks for constructingstructures in a variety of applications. One example is in landscapingapplications, where such blocks are used to create, for example,retaining walls, ranging from small tree ring walls and garden edgingwalls to comparatively large structures.

[0003] In a retaining wall, as well as in other structures constructedfrom concrete blocks, the front face of each block, which often has agenerally similar appearance to the front faces of the other blocks, istypically visible in use. The appearance of the resulting wall facecreated from such blocks can tend to have a uniformity or “sameness”.While uniformity is not undesirable in many applications, in somesettings, such as a garden, the wall face may appear to some to be tooharsh, imposing, or out-of-place. Therefore, in some instances, it wouldbe desirable to break up the uniformity of the wall face.

[0004] It is known to mold blocks within a mold, in which a mold surfaceimparts a decorative pattern to a corresponding surface of the block toenhance the visual appeal of the block. Examples include U.S. Pat. Nos.D20,287; D21,522; 451,799; 765,086; 985,353; and 1,166,312.

[0005] However, there is a continuing need for a concrete block thatincludes at least one decorated surface, so that when the block is usedin, for example, a retaining wall constructed from a plurality ofconcrete blocks, the decorated surface breaks up the uniformity of thewall face and softens the expansive plane created by the wall face.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention relates to a concrete block that can be placed in awall that is constructed from a plurality of concrete blocks to accentthe wall face. The concrete block is preferably a retaining wall blockfor use in a retaining wall in landscape applications. However, theblock could be used in other walls that are constructed from concreteblocks.

[0007] One or more of the blocks of the invention can be placed asdesired in the wall to break up the uniformity of the wall face andsoften the plane of the wall, tie the wall in with the surroundinglandscape, or to add interest to an otherwise uniform wall face. Theblocks can be placed randomly in the wall, or arranged in a pattern inone or more courses of the wall.

[0008] In the preferred embodiment, the block has a front face composedof one or more decorative features. The decorative feature is preferablyintegrally formed on the block during formation of the block. Thus, thedecorative feature will have the appearance of having been carved in theface of the block.

[0009] Examples of decorative features that could be used on theinventive block includes leaves, flowers, trees, various insects andanimals including butterflies and dragonflies, human faces, scenes ofnature, letters, and numbers. Numerous other decorative features couldbe used within the scope of the invention.

[0010] In the preferred embodiment, the decorative feature comprises arelief formed on a depressed field on the front of the block. Thedepressed field is preferably surrounded by a border that projectsforwardly beyond the depressed field, and a portion or all of the reliefprojects forwardly beyond the border. The border serves as a frame forthe decorative relief. In addition, the border helps to protect therelief from being damaged, for example during handling and transport ofthe block. The relief could also be designed such that no portionthereof projects forwardly beyond the border.

[0011] The relief will appear to have been carved out of an undecoratedblock, and the border will appear as though it is a border of remainingstone. However, it is contemplated that the relief could overlap one ormore portions of the border, thereby obscuring the border in thatlocation. Alternatively, it is contemplated that where the relief isexpected to overlap the border, the border could be removed in thoseareas.

[0012] In one embodiment according to the invention, the block comprisesat least one locator protrusion which interacts with one or moreadjacent blocks when laid up in a wall to aid in positioning andretaining the block relative to the adjacent blocks. The locatorprotrusion preferably comprises a flange that is integrally formed withthe block adjacent the rear of the block to provide shear resistance andset-back with respect to blocks in the next lower course of blocks inthe wall.

[0013] In another embodiment according to the invention, the block isconfigured as an insert to be inserted into an already existing wall. Inthis case, the block insert preferably has a depth between the front andrear thereof that is less than the depth of the other blocks in thewall. This permits the block insert to be inserted into an openingprovided in the wall face, without requiring dismantling of the wall.The block insert can be secured in place using an adhesive.

[0014] These and various other advantages and features of novelty whichcharacterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a betterunderstanding of the invention, its advantages and objects obtained byits use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a furtherpart hereof, and to the accompanying description, in which there isdescribed a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a block according to the presentinvention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a front view of the block of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a side view of the block of FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a top view of the block of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the block of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a block according to a secondembodiment of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a view of a portion of a retaining wall that depicts howblocks according to the invention can be used to accent the wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] A concrete block 10 according to the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 1-5. The block 10 is illustrated as being aretaining wall block for use in a retaining wall. It is to be realized,however, that the concepts disclosed herein are applicable to othertypes of concrete blocks.

[0023] The block 10 comprises a block body having a front 12, a back 14,a top surface 16, a bottom surface 18, a first side 20, and an opposedsecond side 22. The block 10 is formed from a cured, dry cast, no slumpmasonry concrete. Dry cast, no slump masonry concrete is well known inthe art of retaining wall blocks.

[0024] The front 12 of the block 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, isprovided with a pre-determined three-dimensional relief or pattern 24 ona depressed field 26, which is surrounded at least partially by a border28. In the preferred embodiment, the border 28 includes a top portion30, a bottom portion 32, and first and second side portions 34, 36, sothat the border 28 entirely surrounds the depressed field 26 and therelief 24. However, the border 28 could surround only portions of thefield 26 and relief 24 if desired. Moreover, the relief 24 isillustrated as intersecting the border 28 at several locations, forexample locations A, B and C. At several locations, for examplelocations A and B, the relief 24 overlaps the border 28. However, therelief 24 could be entirely within the border 28 if desired.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the top and bottom portions 30, 32of the border 28 intersect the side portions 34, 36 at inner cornerjunctions 38 a, b, c, d that are radiused. In addition, the top portion30 of the border 28 is adjacent and intersects the top surface 16, thebottom portion 32 is adjacent and intersects the bottom surface 18, theside portion 34 is adjacent and intersects the side 20, and the sideportion 36 is adjacent and intersects the side 22. Other configurationsof the border 28 are possible within the scope of the invention. Forexample, one or more of the border portions 30, 32, 34, 36 could bearranged in a non-contiguous relationship with its respective blocksurface.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 2, the depressed field 26 includes surfaceportions 40 that are not provided with the relief 24. It is preferredthat these surface portions 40 be generally smooth and withoutornamentation, which helps make the relief 24 “stand-out” from thesurrounding block structure. However, it is contemplated that thesurface portions 40 could be textured.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the border 28 projects forwardly beyondthe surface portions 40 of the depressed field 26. In addition, it ispreferred that at least a portion of the relief 24 projects forwardlybeyond the border and, at certain locations as discussed above, therelief 24 overlaps portions of the border, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and3-5. With this construction, the border 28 helps to frame the relief 24,while the relief 24 on the smooth, depressed field 26 helps the relief“stand-out” and make it readily discernible. If desired, the entirerelief 24 could project forwardly beyond the border 28. Moreover, thedepressed field 26 could extend into the block from the border 28 towardthe back 14 a greater or lesser extent than shown in FIGS. 1-5,depending upon the look one seeks to achieve.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the front 12 is curved outwardlyinto a convex shape between the sides 20, 22. However, the front 12 canhave other shapes between the sides 20, 22, including multi-faceted or asingle plane as are frequently seen in retaining wall blocks.

[0029] The relief 24, depressed field 26 and border 28 are preferablyimparted to the front 12 during molding of the block 10 by a moldsurface having a pattern that is the mirror image of the relief 24,depressed field 26 and border 28 to be formed. The use of a mold surfaceto impart a pattern to a block surface is well known in the art ofretaining wall blocks. An example of a process that could be used toproduce the relief 24, depressed field 26 and border 28 is disclosed inapplication Ser. No. 10/038,639, filed on Jan. 4, 2002, and entitledMASONRY BLOCK AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME.

[0030] The relief 24, depressed field 26, and border 28 that areimparted to the front 12 can vary depending upon the desired appearanceof the block front. The particular relief that is used will be selectedbased on what is thought to be visually pleasing to users of the blocks.By way of example, the relief 24 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 simulates oakleaves and acorns. Other examples of patterns include leaves, flowers,trees, various insects and animals including butterflies anddragonflies, human faces, scenes of nature, letters, numbers, andcombinations thereof. Endless possibilities are available. By providinga plurality of mold surfaces with a variety of different patterns, theresulting relief on blocks can be varied by changing mold surfaces.

[0031] The back 14, top and bottom surfaces 16, 18, and the sides 20, 22of the block 10 can have numerous configurations. In the block 10illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the back 14, top and bottom surfaces 16, 18,and the sides 20, 22 are of a known construction. The back 14 of theblock 10 is generally planar between the sides 20, 22 and generallyperpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces 16, 18. However, it iscontemplated that the back 14 could deviate from planar, such as bybeing provided with one or more notches or provided with one or moreconcavities, while still being within the scope of the invention.

[0032] The top surface 16 has at least a contact portion that isgenerally horizontal and generally planar which, in use, is contacted bya bottom surface of at least one block in an upper course of blocks. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the top surface 16 is generally horizontaland generally planar over its entire extent, and free of coresintersecting the upper face 16. When the block 10 is disposed in a wall,the top surface 16 is in a generally parallel relationship to the topsurfaces of the other blocks in the wall.

[0033] The bottom surface 18 of the block 10 is formed so as to besuitable for engaging the top surface of a block(s) in the course belowto maintain the generally parallel relationship between the top surfacesof the blocks when the blocks are stacked into courses. The bottomsurface 18 has at least a contact portion that is generally horizontaland generally planar that is configured so that, in use, the contactportion rests upon at least a portion of a top surface of a blockdisposed in a course below the block.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface 18 includes apair of recesses 42 a, 42 b, but is otherwise generally planar andhorizontal so that it is generally parallel to the top surface 16.However, other bottom surfaces can be used, including a bottom surfacethat is entirely horizontal and planar, or that includes one or moreconcave portions over portions of the bottom surface 18.

[0035] The sides 20, 22 of the block 10 are generally vertical and jointhe top and bottom surfaces 16, 18 and join the front and back 12, 14,as seen in FIGS. 1-5. At least a portion of each side 20, 22 convergestoward the opposite side as the sides extend toward the back 14.Preferably the entire length of each side 20, 22 converges starting fromadjacent the front 12, with the sides 20, 22 being generally planarbetween the front 12 and back 14. However, it is possible that the sides20, 22 could start converging from a location spaced from the front 12,in which case the sides 20, 22 would comprise a combination of straight,non-converging sections extending from the front 12 and convergingsections leading from the straight sections to the back 14.

[0036] Alternatively, the block 10 can be provided with only oneconverging side or side portion, with the other side being substantiallyperpendicular to the front and back 12, 14. A block with at least oneconverging side permits serpentine retaining walls to be constructed.

[0037] The block 10 can include one or more locator protrusionsintegrally formed on the top or bottom surface 16, 18. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the locator protrusion comprises a flange 44that extends below the bottom surface 18 of the block adjacent to theback 14, as seen in FIGS. 1-3 and 5. The flange 44 includes a rearsurface that is continuous with the back 14 of the block. The flange 44is designed to abut against the rear face of a block(s) in the coursebelow the block 10 to provide a predetermined set-back from the coursebelow and to provide course-to-course shear strength.

[0038] A second embodiment of a block 100 according to the invention isillustrated in FIG. 6. The block 100 is designed as an insert that canbe inserted into a suitable space provided in a pre-existing wall,without requiring dismantling of the wall. The block 100 can be securedwithin the wall using a suitable adhesive.

[0039] The block 100 comprises a block body having a front 102, a back104, a top surface 106, a bottom surface 108, a first side 110, and anopposed second side 112. The block 100, like the block 10, is formedfrom a cured, dry cast, no slump concrete.

[0040] Moreover, like the block 10, the front 102 of the block 100 isprovided with a pre-determined three-dimensional relief or pattern 114on a depressed field 116, which is surrounded at least partially by aborder 118. The front 102 of the block 100 is identical to the front 12of the block 10 and is, therefore, not further described.

[0041] In this embodiment, the depth X of the block 100 along a straightline between the forwardmost point on the border 118 and the rear 104 isless than the depth of most of the other blocks in the wall into whichit is to be inserted. The block 100 preferably has a height and a widththat is approximately equal to the height and width of the pre-existingblocks in the wall. This permits the block 100 to be inserted into thewall in an opening formed in the wall. Such an opening can be formed,for example, by unstacking a portion of an existing wall, inserting oneor more blocks 100 where desired, and then restacking the wall. Anopening could also be formed by, for example, removing the front portionof one of the pre-existing blocks in a wall using, for example, a hammerand chisel.

[0042]FIG. 7 is a view of a portion of a retaining wall 50 that depictsblocks according to the invention placed in the wall. The blocks caneither be a full size block like the block 10, or a block insert likethe block 100, or a combination of both blocks. The blocks depicted inFIG. 7 are illustrated with an alternative embodiment of a decorativerelief that can be provided on the front of the block.

[0043] The above specification and examples provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since manyembodiments of the invention can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claimshereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A concrete block, comprising: a concrete blockbody having a front, a back, a top surface, a bottom surface that isconfigured and adapted to rest upon at least a portion of a top surfaceof a concrete block disposed beneath said block body when said blockbody is disposed in a structure with other concrete blocks, and firstand second sides; and said front includes a depressed field at leastpartially surrounded by a border, said border projects forwardly beyondsaid depressed field, and said depressed field includes a relief formedthereon, at least a portion of said relief projecting forwardly beyondsaid border.
 2. The concrete block of claim 1, wherein said borderincludes a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second sideportions interconnecting the top and bottom portions.
 3. The concreteblock of claim 2, wherein said top and bottom portions intersect saidfirst and second side portions at inner corner junctions, and said innercorner junctions are radiused.
 4. The concrete block of claim 2, whereinsaid top portion intersects said top surface, said bottom portionintersects said bottom surface, and said first and second side portionsintersect said first and second sides, respectively.
 5. The concreteblock of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said relief intersectssaid border.
 6. The concrete block of claim 5, wherein at least aportion of said relief overlaps said border.
 7. The concrete block ofclaim 1, wherein the relief appears to be a carved design.
 8. Theconcrete block of claim 7, wherein the carved design comprises one ormore of a nature representation, a human representation, at least onealphabetic character, or at least one numeric character.
 9. The concreteblock of claim 1, wherein said front is outwardly convex.
 10. Theconcrete block of claim 1, wherein portions of said depressed field donot include said relief, and said portions are smooth.
 11. The concreteblock of claim 1, further including one or more locator protrusionsintegrally formed on said top or bottom surface.
 12. The concrete blockof claim 11, wherein said locator protrusion comprises a flangeextending below said bottom surface of the block.
 13. The concrete blockof claim 12, wherein said flange is formed on said bottom surfaceadjacent said block body back.
 14. The concrete block of claim 11,wherein said first and second sides join said front and rear of saidblock body, and said first and second sides have rearwardly convergingportions.
 15. The concrete block of claim 14, wherein a portion of eachof said first and second sides converges towards the other side as thesides extend toward said rear.
 16. The concrete block of claim 1,wherein, when disposed in a structure with other concrete blocks, saidblock body comprises a depth that is less than the depth of at leastsome of the other concrete blocks.
 17. The concrete block of claim 1,wherein said block body is configured to be inserted into a pre-existingstructure formed by a plurality of concrete blocks.
 18. A concreteaccent block for use in a structure formed from a plurality of concreteblocks, comprising: a concrete block body having a front, a back, a topsurface, a bottom surface, and first and second sides; and said frontincludes a depressed field surrounded by a border, said border projectsforwardly beyond said depressed field, and said depressed field includesa relief formed thereon and appearing as a carved design, at least aportion of said relief projecting forwardly beyond said border.
 19. Theconcrete accent block of claim 18, wherein said border includes a topportion, a bottom portion, and first and second side portionsinterconnecting the top and bottom portions.
 20. The concrete accentblock of claim 19, wherein said top and bottom portions intersect saidfirst and second side portions at inner corner junctions, and said innercorner junctions are radiused.
 22. The concrete accent block of claim19, wherein said top portion intersects said top surface, said bottomportion intersects said bottom surface, and said first and second sideportions intersect said first and second sides, respectively.
 23. Theconcrete accent block of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of saidrelief intersects said border.
 24. The concrete accent block of claim23, wherein at least a portion of said relief overlaps said border. 25.The concrete accent block of claim 18, wherein the carved designcomprises one or more of a nature representation, a humanrepresentation, at least one alphabetic character, or at least onenumeric character.
 26. The concrete accent block of claim 18, whereinsaid front is outwardly convex.
 27. The concrete accent block of claim18, wherein portions of said depressed field do not include said relief,and said portions are smooth.
 28. The concrete accent block of claim 18,further including one or more locator protrusions integrally formed onsaid top or bottom surface.
 29. The concrete accent block of claim 28,wherein said locator protrusion comprises a flange extending below saidbottom surface of the block.
 30. The concrete accent block of claim 29,wherein said flange is formed on said bottom surface adjacent said blockbody back.
 31. The concrete accent block of claim 28, wherein said firstand second sides join said front and rear of said block body, and saidfirst and second sides have rearwardly converging portions.
 32. Theconcrete accent block of claim 31, wherein a portion of each of saidfirst and second sides converges towards the other side as the sidesextend toward said rear.
 33. The concrete accent block of claim 18,wherein, when disposed in a structure with other concrete blocks, saidblock body comprises a depth that is less than the depth of at leastsome of the other concrete blocks.
 34. The concrete accent block ofclaim 18, wherein said block body is configured to be inserted into apre-existing structure formed by a plurality of concrete blocks.